Royal Caribbean Celebrates Sailings to Ba Ria – Vung Tau (Phu My), Vietnam Onboard Spectrum of the Seas

Over 4,000 Royal Caribbean guests arrived in Phu My, Vietnam on Asia’s largest and most innovative ship, Spectrum of the Seas. Celebratory events were held onboard, in recognition of Spectrum’s new 12-night sailings and to acknowledge Royal Caribbean’s future sailings to Vietnam.

Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International, Spectrum of the Seas’ Captain Wu Huimin, Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh, and U.S. Consulate General HCMC Deputy Principal Officer Anne Benjaminson exchanged gifts in a welcome ceremony onboard Spectrum of the Seas, after which they were given an exclusive tour of the ship.

From left to right: Spectrum of the Seas’ Captain Wu Huimin, U.S. Consulate General HCMC Deputy Principal Officer Anne Benjaminson, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International Angie Stephen, Chairman of People’s Committee of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh and Royal Caribbean International Government Relations (Asia), Regional Vice President Wendy Yamazaki at the Welcome Ceremony on August 22 in Phu My

“Vietnam is a popular travel destination for both Singaporeans as well as our guests from across the world, so we are thrilled to be able to celebrate our sailings to Phu My with key government and cruise industry stakeholders onboard today. Today’s onboard event also coincides with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership which we deeply value. Our guests today will disembark to explore the nearby sights, on shore excursions including exploring Buddhist temples, taking in the Bay of Boats and enjoying guided tours of Ho Chi Minh City which will all offer an economic benefit to the already thriving tourism industry,” said Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

Chairman of People’s Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, Nguyen Van Tho stated, “Every year, the Ba Rai-Vung Tau Province welcomes a large number of international tourists, including guests from cruises. Post pandemic, our tourism industry has implemented many solutions to restore and develop our tourism calendar, which has maintained a good growth rate and made a positive contribution to the overall growth of the province. Today has allowed us the opportunity to promote and affirm Ba Ria-Vung Tau as a safe, friendly and attractive destination for international tourists from the cruising market.”

Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Nguyen Trung Khanh discussed the rise in tourist number to Vietnam and added, “We are delighted that Royal Caribbean International has included Vietnam in their 2023 cruise itineraries. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, highly appreciate the efforts of Royal Caribbean in quickly restoring international cruise tourism, and we thank them for choosing Vietnam as the venue for the ceremony to celebrate the recovery of the international cruise industry.”

Deputy Principal Officer (DPO) Anne Benjaminson from the U.S. Consulate General HCMC who also joined the proceedings concluded the speeches stating, “We are so happy to see the rejuvenation of the cruise ship and tourism industry in Southeast Asia and especially in Vietnam, the region is such an attractive destination for American tourists and investors. Tourism and trade services are a huge component of our bilateral partnership and 2023 marks 10 years of this comprehensive partnership.”

Over the course of the 12-night cruise, guests have enjoyed exploring top Asian destinations including Tokyo, Kumamoto, Kagoshima in Japan; Hong Kong; as well as Nha Trang in Vietnam.  Following Phu My, the cruise will travel to Singapore.

B.H (Vietnam Business Forum)